Rotary valve controlled internal-combustion engine



y 1944. R; c. CROSS 2,354,305

ROTARY VALVE CONTROLLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed May 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l -//VVENT 2a man/0' C. CROSS July 25, 1944. R. C. CROSS 2,354,305

ROTARY VALVE CONTROLLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE .Filed May 6, 1943 v s'sheets-s eet 2 7 -A L I! /--r-- L; Y I 12 Ju l y 25, 1944. cRss 2,354,305

' ROTARY VALVE CONTROLLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Fild May 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l l i m i Patented July 25, 1944 ROTARY VALVE CONTROL-LED lNTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Roland Claude Cross, Bath, England I Application May 6, 1943, Serial No. 485,925

In Great Britain September 18, 1941 8 Claims. (01. 123-30) This invention relates to internal combustion engines operating under the control of a cylindrical or other rotary valve, and of the kind wherein the explosion and compression pressures in the engine cylinder are partly utilised for pressing the valve housing on to the rotary valve to provide a gas and fluid tight seal there-between. This kind of internal combustion engine generally includes a valve-housing .divided longitudinally into two parts, and a cylinder slidably mounted in the crank case and carrying Nos. 448,368, 448,383, 448,384, 451,917 (with its corresponding U. S. No. 2,169,631,-dated Aug. 15,

1939) and British Patent 467,620. In others, the cylinder itself is not actually movable but as an equivalent the inner housing part is formed as part of a body, slidable in the cylinder and constituting virtually a yieldable cylinder head responsive to the aforesaid pressures, and examples of such a variation are to be found in the Cross British Patents Nos. 474,521, 481,933 and 504,709.

The present invention is applicable to these various constructions which introduce divided valve housings, and also to other designs wherein a movable cylinder isadapted to press the hous'-.

ing onto the valve.

For convenience of description the movable parts may be termed floating and in this specification such a term denotes that the member so described is yieldable in relation to other parts, such as in relation to the fixed crank casing and other firm parts of the engine, so as to yield and be capable of transmitting varying pressures applied thereto to another member contacting therewith, whether the said floating member is perceptibly displaced or'not. The term stationary where applied to a part denotes that that part is non-floating in the above sense but stands immovable together with firm parts of the engine, and offers a solid resistance to any pressures applied thereto.

Hitherto in engines of the foregoing kind, the.

cylinder or other floating element to which the pressure generated in the cylinder is directly applied moves in a straight line, e. g., axially in the caseof a-cylinder. Although this simple movementcanbe utilised quite easily in the caseof overhead rotary valve it may involve complica tions to adapt the principle underlying this kind, of-engine to a layout where the rotary valve is disposed towards one side of the cylinder. It; is, true that an offset rotary valve is shown in the aforesaid prior British Batent No;; 467,620, but in this case the arrangement is stilloi-n eifect an. overhead valve as the location is not-sufficiently off the cylinder center to enable i-tto be placed lower-andalongside the cylinder for cuttingdown overhead room which is animportan-tadvantage of a side valve engine; The present invention is particularly designedfor applying the ciples in the aforesaid kind of engine toja side valve engine of the rotary valve type. -The in vention however is not-confined to such a; dis

position of valve as theadvantages flowing from pivoting the cylinder (explained, later). .canbe usefully adapted to overhead valve engines.

According to the 'said invention, the-cylinder or equivalent floatin element towhich the pres? sure generated the cylinder isdirectly applied iscarried 'on, a pivotal axis offset, from theaxis of the cylinder so that it will tend to rocki about.

2,169,631, "and British Patents Nos; v,

474,5a'1*,14s1,933 and 504,709, a dferasjsol, iinp'ortant advantage of thepresent invention is tha't'itis inherent in the design'that thellressure ultimately applied to the vaiveis controlled, such control arising woutof thep'ossibility of loing moveme t takes place in any requisite-p tio n. Thus, even with a stationaryvouter, ho usmg, part, thev engine is nevertheless capable of construction with a ineasureof control. l

v In orderthatthesaid invention maybe clear l-y understood reference is directed to the following description, aidedby the. accompanyingdraw-i s h an- Figure 1 isa diagramshowing ,the inventionbut with the floating housing part under the control of a tie-rod;

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a form where the housing parts are pressed together in a vertical "j direction, the outer part being stationary;

Figure 6 is a diagram showing the invention applied to a non-divided housing and wherein the valve is of the conical plug type;-and

Fig. '7 is a detail sectional view of a construc tion according to the Fig. 1 diagram.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through a por-- tion of a sidevalve engine of the horizontal, opposed cylinder type embodying valve sealing means in accordance with the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring generally to Figures 1-5 and '7 and 8, the cylinder I is movably mounted in the crank case 2 and supported by the pivot A which is the important feature of the invention. The rotary valve 3 is carried in the housing consisting of two divided parts, an inner part 4 rigid with theicylinder and an outer part 5. 'Pressures generatedin the cylinder will reactagainst the cylinder head and tend to rock the cylinder-about the pivot A in the direction of the arrow B. This presses the inner housing part 4 'on -to the valve 3 in ,the direction of arrow C (Figures 1-5) to accomplish the desired sealing, Obviously, the amount ofpressure in the direction of the component C can be controlled when designing the engine by suit-" ably locating the pivot A which may be nearer to or farther from the axis of the cylinder (for example on a trunnion axis as in Figure 5), and nearer to or farther from the axis of the rotary valve3.

Dealing with the case illustrated in Figure 1, the controlled pressure resulting at C'is applied unmodified to'the valve 3 inasmuch as the outer valve housing part 5 is stationary mounted rigidly on or in respect to the crank case and ofiers an uncontrolled resistance to the force C. No particular method of rigidly mounting thetcap 5 as a stationary member is indicated in this figure; but the arrow Z is intended to denote a solid resistance and'rigidity.

In Figure 2 the outer valve housing part 5 is a floating member hinged to the other part 4 at E, and supported on the fixed pillar'or strut D. 'As' in the previous case, part of the explosion and compression pressures tend to force the cylinder out of the crank case. As mentioned, the cylin der is mounted slidably in the crank case but hinged thereto at A with the result ..that the pressure resolves itself into a tendency to cant. the cylinder in the direction of arrow B. This gives a component in the dir'ectionof arrow C and thus the left-hand half of the rotary valve hous ing, which is solid Wlthth cylinder, is pressed against the rotary valve.' The pressure in the direction of the arrows B, 0 however is brought up against a solid resistance at the top'of the supporting pillar D. As the valve housing is divided into two parts hinged at E theforces tend to press the point E downwards in the direction of arrow F.- The resistance or reactions set up are taken by the yieldable right-hand half of the valve housing which may be regarded in two senses as a bell crank lever. Firstly, it is a bell crank lever pivoted at E. with the two arms axially depicted by GE and EH. As a result of the forces just described this bell crank tends to move in the direction of the arrows at G and H; the

right-hand half of the housing also operates as a bell crank fulcrumed at D having the arms axially depicted at JD and KD. Movement of the pivot E in the direction of the arrow F, or the tendency to such a movement, will tend to rock the bell crank JD, DK about the fulcrum D setting up pressures in the direction of arrows J .and K. The net result of such reactions and resistance is the transfer of some of the pressure originating at C to the valve cap in the direction of arrow L. It will be seen therefore that the part of the explosion and compression pres- 20 sures operating outwardly against the head of the cylinder is shared by the two halves of the valv housing each operating inwardly towards the centre of the rotary valve along the opposed general directions C and L. The respective fractions of the total available pressure so utilised are controlled by the design and pivotal positions of th various parts, viz: firstly, the location of the pivot A outwardly from the crank casing and radially from the axis of the cylinder as in the previous example, secondly, the position of the pivot E from boththe axes of the cylinder and the rotary valve, and thirdly, the position of the fulcrumpoint D particularlyin relation to its spacing from both pivots A and E.

Figure 3 is merely another example operating similarly to Figure 2, the diiference being that the outer valve housing part 5 is slidable in the inner part 4 somewhat like the construction of the aforesaid British Patent 'No. 504,709, and the'bellcrank action of'the Figure 2 form is taken over by'the actual bell-crank 6.

In Figure 4 the direction of the canting action of'the cylinder is varied by positioning the pivot A on the other'side of the cylinder axis. The outward force of the cylinder pressures, in this case, causes a tendency for the cylinder to move as at B. The outer housing part 5 is a floating member hinged to the part 4 at M; it is held in position by connecting the lever N to the crank case 2 by the tie-rod 1. By this arrangement, the

force B brings about a tendency to rise at the hinge M, and whilst movement is restrained by the tie-rod 1 through the lever N, the 'result is a pincer pressure by the two housing parts 4 and 5 as indicated by the arrows X and Y, and the consequent inward component forces C and L as in the other cases.

Another example of the stationary outer valve housing part 5 according to the diagram Figure 1 is depicted in Figure 5. This part 5 is in the slidable block form of Figure 3 and the prior British Patent No. 504,709, but the example is introduced to show a case where the valve h0us-' the same or corresponding parts and pressures in the several figures.

In Figure 6 the valve housing, indicated this time as a whole by the numeral I3, is undivided and carries solidly by the cylinder l, the latter b ing mounted as in the other cases to rock about thepivot- A in the direction-of arrow B. In the housing I3 is a conical 'plug type' ofrot'ary valve I4 supported rigidly-by the-hollow shaft I5 which ofiers a'firm resistance against the pressure ap-'" plied to the valve 'by its 'housingand originating from the force B. It will" be apparent that the pressures set up in the cylinder will b'ring'about' a' iseali'ng pressure between' the housing I3 and the valve, this pressure being controllableas in the-other 'cases-hy'suitably positioning the pivot A.

One of the exam'ples,'viz': that outlined in' the" Figure. 1- diagram, will'? -be 'describ'ed in greater detail'with the assistance. of Figure 7.

surface '8, all as previously explained: A spring 9 keeps the parts tight and rnaintains a normal pressure: of the housing parts'on the valve.

'I-h'e-jouter housing part-5 is part of a block lll slidably'mounted on the other part '4. This outer part5 is held firm'as aistationary member by the bracket II mounted'onthe (crank case 2. MA leaf spring I2 keeps the'housingupart- 5 up to its work, permitting the use of a fair degree of clearance between the block I and its accommodating bore in the part 4, and acts generally as a guide and a positioning and locating element, particularly when the block I0 is cylindrical as shown.

The operation of this example needs no further explanation, particularly in view of the previous general description of all the figures and of Figure 1 in particular. I

The embodiment in Figure 8 is within the type diagrammatically shown in Figure 1, i. e., the cylinder I is hinged at A and carries the inner housing part 4, and also comprises a stationary outer valve housing part held firmly against the valve 3 by a solid resisting member indicated by the arrow Z in Figure 1, and exemplified by the strut IS in Figure 8. In a general manner the lay-out of Figure 1 has been turned through 90 to produce in Figure 8 a horizontal cylinder construction with the valv offset from the cylinder axis to a side valve disposition. The inner valve housing part 4 is extended as a skirt I! and brought right down slidably into the crank case sump 20, and the outer housing part 5 is formed as part of a cylindrical body I8 mounted in the skirt I! and slidable relatively thereto. The housing part 5 is supported by the strut I6 constituting a solid resistance to forces applied to the housing 5 at right-angles to the axis of the cylinder I.

The sealing pressure between the valve housing parts and the valve is brought about as explained earlier with reference to Figure 1. It will be seen, moreover, that a high degree of cooling of the valve housing particularly the cap-like outer part 5, can be attained by utilising the sump oil as a coolant; the normal level of the oil, in the illustrated example, would be high up the skirt I I rising inside the cylindrical housing body I8 to about the upper mushroom or ball head of the strut I6. In addition, a feed from the oil circulating system could advantageously be introduced up the duct I9 in the strut I6 for additional cooling.

In a further embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, the cylindrical rotary valve 3 is mounted by its solid stem 20a between stationary and rigidly-held bearings 2| carried by a bracket 22 are fitted" around the valve'to apply the sealing press-ure'throughthe medium of the cylinder I pivotedat At The innerrhousing part- 4 would ba -pressed againstthe valv 3 011 explosion taking place in the cylinder 2,- pressing the lips of the port 23 tightly on contact with the valve, and the outer housing'ipart 5 may be'fioating or stationary with the strut I6. 'In all examples according to such ayfixe'd'axisvalve design the solid reaction orwresistance to the pressure originating at the pivoted. cylinder-would be wholly or mainly taken up by'the-valve bearings; :inthe case of Figure 9 the stem 20a (the drive to which hasbeen omitted for simplicity) constitutes a. strong rigid beam projecting from the .crank case 2.

Iclaimr.

internalcombustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted -for' rocking movement in response to? gas. in, a; rotary 'valve for' controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and'exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a plural-part housing for said valve, and means whereby said housing is pressed tightly against said valve in response to rocking movement'- of' said-icylinder by gas pressure generatedtherein.-"='

2. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted for rocking movement in response to gas pressure generated therein, a rotary valve for controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a housing for said valve comprising two parts one of which is fixed with respect to the cylinder to swing therewith against the valve and toward the other part, and means restraining the other housing part against moving away from the valve whereby the housing parts are pressed tightly against the valve in response to rocking movement of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein.

3. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted for rocking movement in response to gas pressure generated therein, a rotary valve for controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, said valve being disposed at one side of said cylinder and at least partly inwardly of the outer end thereof, and a two-part housing for said valve comprising an inner part movable with said cylinder outwardly against said valve and an outer part restrained against outward movement whereby said housing is pressed tightly against said valve in response to rocking movement of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein.

4. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, ivoted for rocking movement in response to gas pressure generated therein, a rotary valve for controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a two-part housing for said valve comprising an inner part movable with said cylinder outwardly against the inner side portion of said valve in response to rocking movement of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein, an outer part engaging the outer side portion of said valve, and means whereby said outer part is moved inwardly against said valve in response to rocking movement of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted for rocking movement in response to gas pressure generated therein, a 10- I solidly erected 'from'the 1 crank case 2 'or other fixed structure and the housing parts 4 and 5 pressurev generated there-- tary valve for controlling supply'of fuel to said.

cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a two-part housing for said valve comprisinginner and outer parts engaging the inner and outer side portions .of said valve, respectively, and means whereby said inner'and outer housing parts are moved outwardlyand inwardly, respectively, tightly against said valve in response to rocking movement of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein.

6. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted for rocking movement in response to gas ressure'generated therein, a' rotary valve for controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a two-part housing for saidvalve -comprising an outer part engaging the outer side portion of said valve and restrained against outward movement, and an inner partengaged with the inner side portion of said valve and movable outwardly thereagainst by said cylinder in response to rocking movement of the latter by gas pressure generated therein.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder pivoted for rocking movement in response to gas pressure generated therein, a rotary valve for controlling supply of fuel to said cylinder and exhaust of combustion gases therefrom, a two-part housing for'said. valve, com-- prising an inner part fixed with respect to said cylinder and engaged with the inner side portion of said valve for outward movement thereagainst 1 in response to rocking of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein, an outer portion pivoted to said cylinder and engaged with the outer side portion of saidvalve, and means whereby said outer part is swung inwardly againstsaid valve in response to rocking movement of saidv respect to said cylinder and a lower part restrained against downward movement whereby said housing parts are pressed tightly against said valve in response to rocking of said cylinder by gas pressure generated therein, said engine including a-crank case wherein at least a portionof said lower valve housing part is disposed.

ROLAND CLAUDE CROSS. 

